Remotely controllable subterranean oil well valve

ABSTRACT

An oil/gas well flow control apparatus adapted for placement below ground is capable of sealing the well pipe in the event of a fire or blowout. A pipe shearing means is positioned so as to extend from a casing. The shearing means includes a cutting tool responsive to fluid pressure. The apparatus further includes means for sealing a portion of the periphery of the well pipe so as to prevent oil or other subsurface fluids from seeping along the pipe periphery. Once the well pipe has been sheared the resulting blade can be selectively positioned by the application of fluid pressure to thereby regulate the flow of subsurface fluids through the device. The apparatus is designed for burial below ground so that any transmitted pressures can be readily dissipated. Oil drilling is done through the apparatus.

United States Patent Houston Mar. 11, 1975 [5 REMOTELY CONTROLLABLE 3.766.979 10/1973 Pctrick 166/55 SUBTERRANEAN' OIL WELL VALVE 3.820.601 6/1974 Walker ct a1. loo/55 Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Leonard H. King ABSTRACT An oil/gas well flow control apparatus adapted for placement below ground is capable of sealing the well pipe in the event of a fire or blowout. A pipe shearing means is positioned so as to extend from a casing. The shearing means includes a cutting tool responsive to fluid pressure. The apparatus further includes means for sealing a portion of the periphery of the well pipe so as to prevent oil or other subsurface fluids from seeping along the pipe periphery. Once the well pipe has been sheared the resulting blade can be selectively positioned by the application of fluid pressure to thereby regulate the flow of subsurface fluids through the device. The apparatus is designed for burial below ground so that any transmitted pressures can be readily dissipated. Oil drilling is done through the apparatus.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures [76] Inventor: William T. Houston, Oak Dr. off Bald Rock Rd., Star Rte. 93, San Jose, Calif. 95910 [22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 388,035

[52] [1.8. CI. 166/55.1, l66/.5 [51] Int. Cl E2lb 29/00 [58] Field of Search 166/55, 55.1, 72, 297, 166/.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.851.894 3/1932 Clough 166/55 3.603.387 9/1971 Schoeffler.... 166/55 3.684.008 8/1972 Garrett 166/55 3.693.715 9/1972 Brown 166/55 3.716.068 2/1973 Addison... 166/55 X 3.717.202 2/1973 Burrow 166/55 3.720.260 3/1973 Puck ct a1 166/55 X 3.732.924 5/1973 Chelette et a1. 166/55 3.766.978 10/1973 Orund et al 166/55 X 3O 1 8C1 l 1 4 I 11 /l\\l\l 8 34 44" a 1 2 n ri 1 El 48 46 t t i l i a a REMOTELY CONTROLLABLE SUBTERRANEAN OIL WELL VALVE The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of

course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

This invention relates to an apparatus for sealing a well casing. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus designed to prevent subsurface fluids from escaping to the above ground environment through and along the well casing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is commonly known, drilling for underground oil or gas or other desirable fluids entails the stringing of drill pipe and casing sections in a progressively longer arrays. Asdrilling proceeds a drill pipe is forced progressively deeper below the surface. This is accomplished by joining sections of drill pipe end to end thus allowing the drill bit to penetrate many hundreds of feet into ground.

A major problem in the drilling for oil and in the operation of oil wells is the danger of a blowout or fire which is dangerous and may be very costly, not only in financial terms, but in damage to the ecology of the region. In particular, because of the ecological reasons, there is great public resistance to oil producing operations in many areas. The present invention provides a novel approach to drilling oil and/or gas wells. A remotely actuatable valve which is the subject of this invention is set in position prior to the beginning of the drilling operations. Thereafter, all work is performed through the valve. The valve is located below grade at any desired depth and anchored as for example by encasing it in concrete. Means are provided for controlling the valve from a remote point as will be described more fully hereinafter. After a well has started to produce it is unnecessary to cap it as the valve of this invention can be remotely actuated to close the casing. A novel feature is a cutting blade which will shear any obstruction such as a drill pipe, or cable and casing to close the casing pipe thereby preventing loss of combustible material. With the casing pipe closed off no fire can start below grade since there is no oxygen available to maintain combustion. Accordingly, the inventive device overcomes the aforementioned hazards by providing a means for clamping and sealing the drill pipe.

Generally, the inventive device contemplates (l) a selfcontained apparatus having a clamping device to prevent underground pressures from projecting the well pipe towards the surface before and after the pipe has been sealed or capped after the well has begun to produce. The apparatus further includes (2) a shearing blade designed to cut the drill pipe and casing while substantially simultaneously sealing or capping the casing from further fluid loss and (3) an external sealing collar activated on command to prevent fluid leakage along the casing pipe exterior.

In the preferred embodiment the clamping means comprises a plurality of cam surfaces designed to engage the pipe periphery. The blade apparatus includes a fluid pressure activated knife of sufficient hardness to shear the drill pipe and/or casing at a slight distance above its clamped portion. The external sealing apparatus includes a hydraulically activated resilient collar designed to abut against the outside periphery of the well casing pipe and thereby prevent leakage of oil or like matter along the pipe periphery.

The inventive apparatus slidably receives and jackets the drill pipe for a predetermined portion. Consequently, all work done by the drill pipe is done through the apparatus. The clamping means, shearing knife and external collar are disposed as one unit so that the apparatus is designed to be placed below ground.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for closing or capping a well pipe.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-contained sealing apparatus for an underground drill pipe that is capable of shearing the well pipe and blocking the flow of subsurface fluid.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an underground self-contained drill capping apparatus that is simple in design, reliable in operation and adapted for emergency operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the inventive apparatus showing it buried below ground;

FIG. 2 is a top view in the direction of line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. I on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of line 44 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view in the direction of line 55 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the locking means according to the present invention in the direction of line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the blade apparatus shown in FIG. 4 and FIG 8 is a view looking in the direction of line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 1-3 there is shown the selfcontained shut-off or capping apparatus according to the present invention generally as reference numeral 2. A pipe jacket 4 has an internal diameter that is substantially complimentary with a well pipe 6.

Extending from a portion of jacket 4 is cutting tool housing 8. Tool housing 8 is substantially rectangular in cross section and is carried on jacket 4 as shown. Housing 8 is closed by a pair of end caps 8a and 8b, the latter of which contains a fluid pressure coupling 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown in detail cutting tool or slide blade 12 of the present invention. Cutting tool 12 is substantially complimentary with the interior width of housing 8 and contains on one lateral edge a cutting blade 12a facing opposed pipe 6. A piston 14 is fitted in and is complimentary with the interiorv of housing 8. Tool 12 on the other lateral edge engages one face of piston 14. That portion of tool 12 engaging piston 14 is affixed thereat by means of, for example, welding or fastening means.

Piston 14 carries a seal member 16, preferably of leather, that coacts with the piston to provide an effective seal between the interface of piston 14 and the interior walls of housing 8. Means, as common in the art, secures the seal member 16 to the face of piston 14 as shown. For the purpose of illustration only, bolts 18 and holding plate 20 engage piston 14 so as to clamp seal 16 therebetween.

The fluid pressure coupling is carried in end bracket 8b as above described so as to communicate with the face of piston 14 carrying seal 16-. Coupling 10 is coupled to a hose 22. Hose 22 communicates with a first remote fluid pressure source, the first source not shown.

Another coupling 24 is disposed through a wall or side of housing 8 as shown so as to communicate with the other face or side of piston 14. Coupling 24 communicates with hose 26. Hose 26 is coupled to a second remote fluid pressure source, the second source is not shown.

Disposed within the interior of tool housing 8 adjacent to and abutting the periphery of casing 4 is a spacer block 28 as seen in FIG. 3. Spacer block 28 is secured therein by means of a plurality of screws 30. The bottom surface 28a of spacer block 28 is at the approximate elevation of the top surface of cutting tool or blade 12. The bottom surface 28a of block 28 carries sealing means 32 that in the preferred embodiment will comprise an O-ring.

A second sealing assembly 32a is positioned along a lateral face of spacer block 28 as shown. Means such as common in the art secures sealing assembly 32a against the lateral face of block 2811 so that a portion of seal 32a rides along the upper face of cutting tool 12 as shown. For example, the securing means might comprise bolts 30a carrying a holding plate 30b. Bolts 30a threadably engages block 28 so as to fasten sealing assembly 32a therebetween.

Casing 4 is recessed from the bottom housing 8 so as to provide for an aperture 36 through which cutting tool 12 will pass or slide.

Block 33 in the path of piston 14 limits the stroke of the cutting blade. Opposed to cutting edge 12a is emergency blade stop 34. Blade stop 34 is positioned adjacent to end plate 8a as shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, there is shown means for external sealing around the casing periphery. Jacket 4 flares outwardly so as to form a circular collar 38. Resilient sealing means 40 such as a hollow Buna Rubber O-ring is positioned within collar 38 so as to be juxtaposed along a portion of the periphery of casing 6. A coupling element 46 is disposed through collar 38. Coupling 46 on one end communicates with a hose 48 and on the other end communicates with resilient sealing means 40. Hose 48 is coupled to a third source of fluid under pressure. When fluid is injected into member 40 the O-ring expands to seal against the casing 6, preferably perforated internal barriers 44 will equalize pressure for purposes of sealing. A plurality of ribs 4a extend from jacket 4 so as to provide support for collar 38 shown.

Again referring to FIG. 3 and with reference to FIG. 6 there is shown the casing holding means according to the present invention. Casing 4 again flares outwardly so as to form a second circular collar 50 that is concentric about casing 6. A plurality of ribs 412 provide support to collar 50. A plurality of cam arms 52, each of which is secured to one end to the interior of collar 50, are disposed in adjacent pairs as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of discrete earns 54 is rotatably carried between pairs of the free ends of the plurality of cam 52 as shown.

Cams 54 are positioned and rotatably carried by arms 52 so as to be capable of engaging the outer periphery of casing 6 when the cams are rotated. Flexible linkage means 56 is coupled among and entrains the plurality of cams 54 to follow each other. Hydraulic motor 62 through linkage 58 engages linkage means 56. Hydraulic motor 62 may be of the rotary or linear piston type. Coupling means 64 provide power to drive means 62.

In operation and when it is desired to cap or seal the well, an electrical signal or fluid pressure signal is transmitted by means 64. Responsive to the signal cam activator or transducer 62 will activate or rotate eccentric cam so as to cause lever or cam 58 to rotate upwardly as seen in FIG. 3. The upward rotation of lever 58 drives collar 56 thereby causing the cam array comprising plurality of cams 54 to engage and immobilize drill pipe 6. It is to be understood that throughout the subsequent sequence of events drill pipe 6 remains immobilized by the action of cam 54.

Upon immobilization of pipe 6 hydraulic pressure is communicated through hose 22 and coupling 10 into a working space 1411 as seen in FIG. 3. The fluid pressure operates against piston 14 and causes it to move to the left when viewing FIG. 3. Accordingly, cutting edge 12a on tool 12 will shear pipe 6 as it passes through recess 36 disposed in and formed by housing 8 and jacket 4. The travel of tool 12 will cease when blade 12a engages stop 34.

As tool 12 abuts against stop 34 it will be positioned adjacent under surface 280 of block 28. In this position, cutting tool 12 will engage and compress sealing means or O-ring 32 so as to provide an effective seal. In addition to the sealing provided by O-ring 32, sealing assembly 32a acting against the top surface of blade 12 further acts to prevent leakage through the apparatus.

In addition to the complete fluid stoppage provided by the inventive device, the apparatus can be used to regulate the flow of fluid through the now sheared pipe portion. To regulate the fluid flow, fluid pressure is communicated through hose 26 and coupling 24 to a working space 14b in housing 8 as seen in FIG. 3. The pressure then existing in working space 14b forces piston l4 and blade 12 to the right when viewing FIG. 3. It being understood of course, that in moving piston 14b to the right of FIG. 3, coupling 10 and hose 22 provide a means of egress for the working fluid contained in space 14a. The cooperation of pressure applied through hoses 26 and 22 provide a means for accurate control of the amount of oil or ground fluid permitted to flow through the apparatus.

Either before or after blade 12 is activated as above described, a fluid under pressure from the third remote source is sent through hose 48 and coupling 46. The pressurized fluid enters expandable collar 40 whose expansion acts to compress it against the periphery of pipe 6. The pressure of collar 40 acts to prevent oil or underground fluids from seeping or travelling along the periphery of well pipe 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown another embodiment of the cutting blade of the present invention. Tool 12 carries polygonal shaped blade 12b as shown. It will be apparent that the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is the same as described for the embodiment of FIG. 4.

One advantage of the present system is that the buried valve encased in concrete can readily resist a tremendous pressure generated in the pipe line. For example, pressure sometimes reaches 20,000 lbs. P.S.l. in the casing. Thus, on a inch valve whose cross section area is approximately 314 square inches the upward thrust force is 6.28 X 106 lbs. Should the well come in under high pressure there will be a minimum of loss namely that which will occur during the two or three seconds it takes to close the valve. Thus, there has been provided a remote controlled oil or gas well flow apparatus. The apparatus is adapted for placement below ground before well drilling operations begin. All well drilling can be carried out through the valve, and where necessary, the valve can seal off the well in a matter of two or three seconds, from any distance from the wellsite even though there is well-pipe and/or casing through the valve at the moment of closing. The blade that is essentially a gate, serves a dual purpose; (1) as a valve to seal off the well and (2) as a shearing blade, in the event that any obstruction to the valve closing remains in the valve. Subsequently the valve operates in a normal manner.

The method of installing the valve before drilling operation begins and below grade, has many advantages: (1) The elimination of the costly and often dangerous installation of a valve to cap the well once it begins to produce. (2) The elimination of the tire hazard (there can be no fire, even of the most combustable material, without oxygen) and (3) The elimination of the Christman Tree multiple valves system of decreasing diameters. (4) The switches to operate the valve can be miles away, ashore if the well is off-shore. (5 The spills of oil can be minimized, due to the ability to close the valve rapidly and without the presence of anyone at the well-head.

While only two embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will, be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well pipe flow control apparatus adapted for placement below ground comprising in combination:

a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter slightly larger than the well pipe;

b. a chamber extending from said casing transverse to the longitudinal axis of said casing;

c. blade means contained in said chamber and movable in a radial direction responsive to fluid pressure for shearing the well pipe positioned in said casing;

d. external sealing means contained along a portion of said casing and disposed below said blade means, said external sealing means being responsive to and communicating with a pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid forces said external sealing means against the well pipe periphery to prevent the seepage of ground fluid therealong; and pipe holding means carried within the bottom portion of said casing so as to be disposed below said external sealing means, said pipe holding means being capable of locking the portion of the well pipe within said casing.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said blade means comprises:

a. a housing defined by said casing;

b. a piston disposed within one portion of said housing;

c. a cutting tool slidable in said housing whereby on one end engages one face of said piston, the other end of said cutting tool containing a cutting edge. the cutting edge being disposed so as to be facing the well pipe;

. fluid pressure means coupled to a portion of said housing containing said piston; and

e. sealing means disposed adjacent the well pipe and engaging a portion of said cutting tool so that when said fluid pressure means acts against said piston to cause said cutting tool to shear the well pipe, said sealing means will isolate and commpartmentalize the sheared well pipe from the unsheared section.

3. A flow control apparatus for a well pipe adapted for below ground placement comprising:

a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter suited for receiving a well pipe therein;

b. a chamber contiguous with said casing;

c. blade means arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis;

d. means for moving said blade means whereby said blade means shears the well pipe without causing the crushing thereof;

e. first sealing means cooperating with said blade means and said casing to define a valve for control ling the flow of fluid past said blade means; and

f. external sealing means being contained along a portion of said casing and being disposed below said blade means, said external sealing means being responsive to and communicating with a pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid forces said external sealing means against the well pipe periphery to prevent seepage of ground fluid therealong.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including:

pipe holding means carried within the bottom portion of said casing so as to be disposed below said external sealing means, said pipev holding means being capable of locking the portion of the well pipe within said casing.

5. A flow control apparatus for a well pipe adapted for below ground level placement comprising:

a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter suited for receiving a well pipe therein;

b. a chamber contiguous with said casing;

c. blade means arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis;

(1. means for moving said blade means whereby said blade means shears the well pipe without causing the crushing thereof; and

e. sealing means cooperating with said blade means and said casing to define a valve for controlling the flow of fluid past said blade means; and

f. external sealing means further comprising a first collar disposed so as to be concentric about the well pipe, elastic sealing means positioned within said first collar and having an interior face juxtaposed against the well pipe periphery, a second, expansion collar interposed between the inside surface of said first collar and the exterior face of said elastic sealing means and hydraulic pressure means and concentric to the well pipe;

a plurality of cam means rotatably positioned equidistant about the well pipe, said cam means including cam activation means for causing said cam means to engage a peripheral portion of and immobilize the well pipe.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N 098 Dated March 1975 Inventor(s) T. un ,STAN

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Inventor's Address:

William T. Houston Oak Drive off Bald Rock Road Star Route 93 Berry Creek, California 95910 Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 4 and Trademarks FORM PC4650 (10459) USCOMM-DC sowsps9 U. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEI I969 0-365-334 

1. A well pipe flow control apparatus adapted for placement below ground comprising in combination: a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter slightly larger than the well pipe; b. a chamber extending from said casing transverse to the longitudinal axis of said casing; c. blade means contained in said chamber and movable in a radial direction responsive to fluid pressure for shearing the well pipe positioned in said casing; d. external sealing means contained along a portion of said casing and disposed below said blade means, said external sealing means being responsive to and communicating with a pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid forces said external sealing means against the well pipe periphery to prevent the seepage of ground fluid therealong; and e. pipe holding means carried within the bottom portion of said casing so as to be disposed below said external sealing means, said pipe holding means being capable of locking the portion of the well pipe within said casing.
 1. A well pipe flow control apparatus adapted for placement below ground comprising in combination: a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter slightly larger than the well pipe; b. a chamber extending from said casing transverse to the longitudinal axis of said casing; c. blade means contained in said chamber and movable in a radial direction responsive to fluid pressure for shearing the well pipe positioned in said casing; d. external sealing means contained along a portion of said casing and disposed below said blade means, said external sealing means being responsive to and communicating with a pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid forces said external sealing means against the well pipe periphery to prevent the seepage of ground fluid therealong; and e. pipe holding means carried within the bottom portion of said casing so as to be disposed below said external sealing means, said pipe holding means being capable of locking the portion of the well pipe within said casing.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said blade means comprises: a. a housing defined by said casing; b. a piston disposed within one portion of said housing; c. a cutting tool slidable in said housing whereby on one end engages one face of said piston, the other end of said cutting tool containing a cutting edge, the cutting edge being disposed so as to be facing the well pipe; d. fluid pressure means coupled to a portion of said housing containing said piston; and e. sealing means disposed adjacent the well pipe and engaging a portion of said cutting tool so that when said fluid pressure means acts against said piston to cause said cutting tool to shear the well pipe, said sealing means will isolate and commpartmentalize the sheared well pipe from the unsheared section.
 3. A flow control apparatus for a well pipe adapted for below ground placement comprising: a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter suited for receiving a well pipe therein; b. a chamber contiguous with said casing; c. blade means arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis; d. means for moving said blade means whereby said blade means shears the well pipe without causing the crushing thereof; e. first sealing means cooperating with said blade means and said casing to define a valve for controlling the flow of fluid past said blade mEans; and f. external sealing means being contained along a portion of said casing and being disposed below said blade means, said external sealing means being responsive to and communicating with a pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid forces said external sealing means against the well pipe periphery to prevent seepage of ground fluid therealong.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including: pipe holding means carried within the bottom portion of said casing so as to be disposed below said external sealing means, said pipe holding means being capable of locking the portion of the well pipe within said casing.
 5. A flow control apparatus for a well pipe adapted for below ground level placement comprising: a. a casing having a longitudinal axis and a transverse inside diameter suited for receiving a well pipe therein; b. a chamber contiguous with said casing; c. blade means arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis; d. means for moving said blade means whereby said blade means shears the well pipe without causing the crushing thereof; and e. sealing means cooperating with said blade means and said casing to define a valve for controlling the flow of fluid past said blade means; and f. external sealing means further comprising a first collar disposed so as to be concentric about the well pipe, elastic sealing means positioned within said first collar and having an interior face juxtaposed against the well pipe periphery, a second, expansion collar interposed between the inside surface of said first collar and the exterior face of said elastic sealing means and hydraulic pressure means communicating with said first collar so that when hydraulic pressure is applied within said first collar said elastic sealing means will be forced against the well pipe periphery to thereby block the seepage of ground fluid. 